Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Ibadan, Nigeria — The Oyo State Police Command has achieved a major breakthrough in its fight against violent crime with the successful rescue of a 60‑year‑old kidnap victim and the arrest of several suspects linked to kidnapping and murder in different parts of the state. The operations, announced on Wednesday in a statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Oluyinka Ayanlade, underscore a renewed commitment by the command to safeguard lives and property amid rising insecurity.
The alarm was first raised on January 11, 2026, when armed hoodlums reportedly invaded Budo community in Iseyin Local Government Area, abducting Isiaku Saidu, a 60‑year‑old resident. The assailants, described as heavily armed with guns and cutlasses, captured Saidu shortly after entering the area via Bassi Camp.
Acting swiftly on the information, the Commissioner of Police for Oyo State, Femi Haruna, ordered an immediate and aggressive response by divisional officers in collaboration with partner security agencies. Bush‑combing operations and intensified patrols were launched to track down the abductors’ hideout.
The combined security team later located the kidnappers’ encampment, triggering a heavy exchange of gunfire with the suspects. During the firefight, one member of the criminal gang was neutralised, while another was captured and is currently cooperating with investigators. Two other suspects reportedly fled the scene with gunshot wounds.
Police have urged residents to remain vigilant and report any sightings of individuals with bullet injuries to the nearest security post, as officers continue to pursue the fleeing suspects and gather further intelligence.
In a separate but related operation, the command disrupted another kidnapping plot in Gelede Camp, Komu, within the Itesiwaju Local Government Area. Hussinat Abubakar, a female victim, was reportedly abducted and held by another syndicate, prompting a coordinated police response.
Following a targeted bush‑combing mission by the Divisional Police Officer in Komu and allied agencies, Abubakar was rescued unharmed and without any ransom paid, indicating a proactive and intelligence‑driven modus operandi from the security forces.
Three suspects were arrested in connection with this abduction, identified as Kari Ibrahim (22), Dure Jimoh (25), and Abubakar Sidi (55). The trio has reportedly confessed to their roles in the crime as investigations continue to uncover additional members of their network.
The command also noted that six spent cartridges were recovered at the scene, suggesting that the suspects were prepared to resist arrest and potentially harm the victim during the ordeal.
Commissioner Haruna commended all officers and personnel involved in both operations for their professionalism, bravery, and quick response, which he said were critical to thwarting further harm to victims and bringing dangerous criminals into custody.
“These successes reflect our ongoing commitment to defeating kidnappers, murderers, and other violent offenders operating within the state,” the commissioner said. He emphasised that the police will not relent in its efforts to protect citizens and urged the public to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that could aid in preventing crime.
Security analysts and community leaders in Oyo State have welcomed the development, describing it as a positive step toward restoring confidence in law enforcement’s ability to respond to serious crimes such as kidnapping and murder. They also called for sustained operations to dismantle criminal syndicates that have increasingly exploited rural terrain and weak security presence to carry out abductions.
The aftermath of these operations is expected to see the suspects charged in court once investigations are completed, as authorities work to build a comprehensive case to ensure accountability and uphold the rule of law.
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